PerkinElmer and the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), a biomedical sciences research institute under Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), has announced the opening of the PerkinElmer-GIS Centre for Precision Oncology. Leaders from PerkinElmer and GIS attended the official opening ceremony today and discussed objectives for the joint research laboratory.

The joint laboratory aims to develop a state-of-the-art high-throughput screening (HTS) platform to predict therapeutic sensitivity in next-generation patient-derived tumor models in real-time, with the ultimate goal of bringing precision oncology research results into the clinic. Specifically, the platform will utilize sequence-informed studies and HTS/HCS focused compound library screens to test the efficacy of different standard of care and pathway-specific inhibitors in 3D tumor micro-spheroid culture models derived either directly from patient primary tumors or patient-derived models (PDX).

The collaboration combines PerkinElmer's capabilities in cell-based research imaging technologies with the GIS' expertise in cancer therapeutics and stratified oncology, cancer stem cell biology and adult/embryonic stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine. The resulting research will include high throughput screening to help provide insights related to molecular mutation and aid in the development of biomarkers for patient stratification.

"Our collaboration with GIS brings together cutting-edge equipment and services along with insights from some of the world's leading cancer researchers," said Mr Brian Kim, President, Life Sciences & Technology, PerkinElmer. "PerkinElmer's integrated solutions empower researchers to reach greater insights for greater outcomes. Combined with GIS's knowledge and experience, this partnership has the potential to unlock new doors in the future of applying precision medicine to cancer treatment."